Nowadays, more and more people enjoy outdoor activities. Riding bikes in the mountains on weekends, going hiking or camping with friends—this healthy lifestyle is increasingly popular among young people. However, as more and more of us flock to forests and mountains to enjoy nature, the natural ecosystem is also being affected by our presence. Many cyclists and hikers are conscious enough to avoid littering while cycling, hiking, or camping outdoors, but is that enough to be truly eco-friendly? Probably not. Moreover, some cyclists/hikers still have weak environmental awareness, and littering remains a common issue. As the weather warms up and more people head outdoors, let’s revisit an important principle to follow during outdoor activities — the LNT Principle.
LNT stands for Leave No Trace, meaning to leave no trace in nature. In the 1960s, outdoor activities became popular in the United States, and the number of people engaging in outdoor sports and camping surged. However, many lacked the necessary environmental awareness. By the 1970s, the impact and even damage caused by outdoor activities on natural environments and cultural resources had drawn attention from relevant authorities. From then on, these authorities began collaborating with professionals and civil organizations to educate the public on environmental principles for outdoor activities. The LNT principle gradually took shape during this period. By 1994, the non-profit organization The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics was established to promote the LNT principle globally, educating outdoor enthusiasts on how to enjoy nature while protecting the environment.
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
The so-called planning and preparation here refer not only to the usual pre-trip preparations but also include certain environmentally related preparatory steps.
Good preparation ensures you can enjoy your time in the mountains happily, without damaging the local natural environment.
1. Familiarize yourself in advance with the regulations and special considerations/restrictions of the place you plan to visit. For example, if you’re crossing the Qiangtang uninhabited area, you need to understand the wildlife protection regulations there and know what actions are prohibited.
2. Be prepared to deal with extreme weather, dangers, and emergencies.
3. Plan your itinerary in advance to avoid peak travel times. This is mainly to minimize human impact on the local ecosystem. A sudden influx of visitors can overwhelm the local environment and disrupt ecological balance.
4. Travel in small groups. If your group is large, split into smaller teams of 4–6 people. Same reasoning as above.
5. Repackage food to reduce waste. For instance, take back leftover chicken legs (just an example—I know you probably won’t have chicken legs out there).
6. Use maps and compasses, and avoid marking trails by painting, stacking rocks, or using signs to minimize impact on the natural environment.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Some may translate this as “solid ground,” but I think “durable surfaces” is more accurate. Though it sounds a bit odd, it's true that nature does bear the impact of human activity. To minimize harm, we should choose areas with the highest “bearing capacity” and least environmental impact.
Most popular spots already have established routes—we don’t need to blaze new trails.
1. Durable surfaces refer to existing trails, campsites, rocks, gravel, dry grass, or snow—areas where walking, riding, or camping won’t harm the local ecology.
2. Protect water sources: camp at least 200 feet (about 60 meters) away from lakes or streams.
3. A good campsite is found, not made. There’s no need to create new campsites—each new one means destroying more grassland.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
This is a basic principle. Many environmental campaigns in China focus on waste disposal, yet many cyclists/hikers still overlook it during outdoor activities like cycling or hiking.
Take all your trash with you—don’t leave others to clean up after your carelessness.
1. Pack it in, pack it out. Check your campsite and surrounding areas for any trash or leftover food, and take everything with you. This applies not just to camping but also to cycling or hiking. Don’t think you can litter just because you’re tired—after all, you chose to exert yourself, so don’t use fatigue as an excuse to harm the environment. (P.S.: “I’m tired” is my least favorite excuse. If you're that exhausted, maybe staying home would be better?)
2. Before doing your business, dig a small hole about 15–20 cm deep. Choose a spot at least 60 meters away from water sources, campsites, and trails. Remember to fill the hole afterward and cover it to blend in with the surroundings. Well then, let nature do its thing.
3. Pack out personal hygiene items after use, such as toilet paper. It might sound gross, but imagine the sight of white tissue scattered around your campsite—that might motivate you to pack it out.
4. When bathing or washing dishes, carry water at least 60 meters away from water sources. You may use a small amount of biodegradable soap/cleaner. Strain dishwashing water before scattering it to avoid killing patches of vegetation.